Lions roar to victory ahead of the
test against the Australian Aboriginals

The BARLA Great Britain Lions brushed aside a robust challenge to record a first win of the tour and gave coach Mick Turner cause for satisfaction ahead of Saturday's Perpetual Trophy Test against the Australian Aboriginals.

The Lions had lost both their opening games, against Manly and in the closing minutes - South West Metro Waratahs, but there was rarely any doubt as to the outcome of this encounter.

The Lions were ahead from the moment winger Chris Lee crossed in the eighth minute from a pass by club team-mate Terry Lynn, of West Hull, Wath Brow Hornets centre Carl Rudd landing the first of his eight goals.

Wigan St Patricks winger Carl Jones was next in on the act, bustling over after having had an earlier effort ruled out for a forward pass.

Redfern, between times, had responded with a touchdown by centre Des Madden, before the tourists upped the tempo.

Lynn and captain Tommy Goulden combined for full back Loz Wildbore to cross, Eccles prop Paul Raftery forced his way over and Goulden, who had a try ruled out, gained some comfort by crossing four minutes before the break. Rudd's fourth goal helping the Lions to a commanding 28-4 interval lead.

Redfern didn't help their cause by having Clint Walker and Ray Carr sinbinned shortly after the restart but the hosts, between those setbacks, managed to cross for a touchdown by Madden, followed by a try just before the hour for Matt Walker.

BARLA meanwhile, replied with Wildbore's second score, courtesy of some quality approach work by stand off Danny Kilshaw and loose forward Goulden. The final quarter belonged to the tourists who sealed their victory with converted tries from Lynn, Kilshaw and Wath Brow forward Scott Teare.

The Lion's stand out performer was Leigh Miners second rower David Patterson and the whole squad will now go into Saturday's Test match against the Australian Aboriginals confident of retaining the "Perpetual Trophy".

Coach Mick Turner was a happy man after the win and said, "It was a very physical game and it's obviously nice to get a win."

He continued, "The spirit among the lads was high even after our opening defeats and I think the mood will be even better now."

Assistant coach Chris Middlehurst added, "There were some good individual performances and we performed well as a team."

The BARLA Great Britain Lions have been dealt a double blow ahead of Saturday's one off Test match against the Australian Aboriginals.

The Lions are looking to re-gain the "Perpetual Trophy", after holding it since 1998, however, they will have to do so without the services of utility player Carl Hughes and full back Danny Tyrell.

Hughes, of Stanley Rangers and Tyrrell (Oldham St Annes), have had to leave the squad and come home early due to injury and personal reasons respectively.

Commenting on the news, Lions Manager Neil Baxter said, "Carl has gone home for treatment to a recurring shoulder injury so that he can be ready for the start of the season, whilst Danny has gone home for personal reasons."

He added, "They'll both be missed and it will put pressure on the rest of the squad to see us through the next two weeks."

There was some good news for the tourists as Gavin Corfield's ankle injury has responded to treatment and Gavin Last, who had a precautionary X-ray after an injury on Saturday, has no serious damage.

All the rest of the squad are available for selection, apart from long term injury victim Alex Bretherton. Coach Mick Turner will name his side for the Test on Thursday.